Knowledge Base › Troubleshooting Atlas › Special stains
Trichrome red and blue imbalance
The slide shows an uneven distribution of red and blue staining, with some areas appearing overly saturated in one color while others are pale or washed out.
Where it usually appears: Typically observed in tissue sections stained with Masson's Trichrome stain, especially in connective tissues and muscle.
- Improper pH of staining solutions
- Inconsistent incubation times
- Insufficient washing steps
- Contamination of reagents
- Verify the pH of the staining solutions
- Check the incubation times against the SOP
- Re-stain the section with properly prepared solutions
- Adjust incubation times and ensure thorough washing
- Regularly calibrate and maintain pH meters
- Establish a consistent staining protocol and training for staff
This atlas is for educational purposes for laboratory professionals. It does not replace your institutional SOPs, manufacturer instructions, validated protocols or pathologist judgment. Adapt any action to your laboratory and equipment.
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